Year 5 Science

Year 5 Science skills

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Skills are grouped by curriculum strand. Exact Australian Curriculum wording remains available on every card.

Science understanding

4 skills
AC9S5U01

Science understanding

Examine how particular structural features and behaviours of living things enable their survival in specific habitats

Students distinguish structural features from behaviours, connect them to environmental conditions and explain how a feature can improve—not guarantee—survival and…

ExampleWhich is a structural feature of a cactus that helps in dry places?

Official curriculum wording

examine how particular structural features and behaviours of living things enable their survival in specific habitats

AC9S5U02

Science understanding

Describe how weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition cause slow or rapid change to Earth’s surface

Students distinguish breakdown from movement and settling, model agents such as water, wind and ice and explain how process rate depends on material, slope, vegetation…

ExampleWhich state of matter usually keeps its own shape?

Official curriculum wording

describe how weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition cause slow or rapid change to Earth’s surface

AC9S5U03

Science understanding

Identify sources of light, recognise that light travels in a straight path and describe how shadows are formed and light can be reflected and refracted

Students trace rays from a source, explain reflection from surfaces, refraction when light changes medium, absorption by materials and shadow formation when opaque…

ExampleWhat causes a shadow on the ground?

Official curriculum wording

identify sources of light, recognise that light travels in a straight path and describe how shadows are formed and light can be reflected and refracted

AC9S5U04

Science understanding

Explain observable properties of solids, liquids and gases by modelling the motion and arrangement of particles

Students compare shape, volume, flow, compression and diffusion, then use a particle model to explain why solids, liquids and gases behave differently

ExampleWhich process breaks rock down while it stays in the same place?

Official curriculum wording

explain observable properties of solids, liquids and gases by modelling the motion and arrangement of particles

Science as a human endeavour

2 skills
AC9S5H01

Science as a human endeavour

Examine why advances in science are often the result of collaboration or build on the work of others

Students describe science as a collaborative evidence-based process in which explanations are proposed, tested, communicated, critiqued and revised rather than produced…

ExampleWhy is replication valuable in science?

Official curriculum wording

examine why advances in science are often the result of collaboration or build on the work of others

AC9S5H02

Science as a human endeavour

Investigate how scientific knowledge is used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions

Students connect scientific explanations to possible solutions, compare benefits, risks and uncertainties and recognise that decisions also involve values, cost, equity…

ExampleWhich statement best describes the role of science in decisions?

Official curriculum wording

investigate how scientific knowledge is used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions

Science inquiry

6 skills
AC9S5I01

Science inquiry

Pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions

Students move from observations to focused questions naming variables, select measurable outcomes and write predictions that state direction and scientific reasoning

ExampleDarker paper warms faster under a lamp. Which question could be tested?

Official curriculum wording

pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions

AC9S5I02

Science inquiry

Plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests

plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests…

ExampleA group plans to test paper towel absorbency. What is the best planning choice?

Official curriculum wording

plan and conduct repeatable investigations to answer questions, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests; describing potential risks; planning for the safe use of equipment and materials; and identifying required permissions to conduct investigations on Country/Place

AC9S5I03

Science inquiry

Use equipment to observe, measure and record data with reasonable precision, using digital tools as appropriate

Students follow procedures in order, read instrument scales, record quantitative and qualitative observations with units and use digital tools without losing awareness of…

ExampleStudents repeat a dissolving test. What is the best measurement choice?

Official curriculum wording

use equipment to observe, measure and record data with reasonable precision, using digital tools as appropriate

AC9S5I04

Science inquiry

Construct and use appropriate representations

construct and use appropriate representations, including tables, graphs and visual or physical models, to organise and process data and information and describe patterns…

ExampleStudents build a table for plant height. What is the best representation choice?

Official curriculum wording

construct and use appropriate representations, including tables, graphs and visual or physical models, to organise and process data and information and describe patterns, trends and relationships

AC9S5I05

Science inquiry

Compare methods and findings with those of others, recognise possible sources of error, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to draw reasoned conclusions

compare methods and findings with those of others, recognise possible sources of error, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to draw reasoned…

ExampleStudents compare two groups magnet results. What is the best evaluation choice?

Official curriculum wording

compare methods and findings with those of others, recognise possible sources of error, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to draw reasoned conclusions

AC9S5I06

Science inquiry

Write and create texts to communicate ideas and findings for specific purposes and audiences, including selection of language features, using digital tools as appropriate

Students construct coherent scientific reports, explanations and presentations, integrate labelled representations, cite relevant evidence and adapt detail for audiences…

ExampleStudents prepare a poster for younger students. What is the best communication choice?

Official curriculum wording

write and create texts to communicate ideas and findings for specific purposes and audiences, including selection of language features, using digital tools as appropriate